GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealander, Volume 10, Issue 879, 16 September 1854, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NEW ZEALAND.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Saturday, Sept. 9. The Council met at lavo o’clock. • A Message from the House of Representatives Avas announced, and Messrs. SeAvell and Kelham precfiOtedAbe Dower Bill with amendments. Business of the Council. Mr. WHITAKER stated that itAvas not his intention to move the resolution Avhich stood in his name that day. He meant it as a hint to prevent the introduction of netv bills of a disputable nature. But jj 0 apprehended that, if it were passed at once, it -jiffht interfere with the Marriage Bill and perhaps •omc others about which much difference of opinion 4jd not exist. He Avould, hoAvever, only Avithdnyw it for the present, tmd let it stand on the paper from jay to day. Public Reserves Bill. On the motion of Dr. RICHARDSON this Bill ■aas read a second time. The Council having gone into committee. Mr. WHITAKER read an amendment Avhich he proposed to introduce when they came to the proper part of the Bill 1 The hon. gentleman subsequently brought tqnvaiu an altogether new clause, the object ot Avhich he stated to have especial reference to land in or near Auckland, such ns the Government Domain. Mr. SEYMOUR seconded the motion. He thought it a great mistake that no Reserves had been made at Nelson, and had great pleasure in preserving them to Auckland and every other toivn where they had been set apart. , , After a short discussion the clause avias adopted A discussion arose on the clause providing for the forfeiture of Grants of Land for Public 1 urposes which have not been accepted and act-d on. Mr. St. HILL did not understand the meaning of had before declared the difficulty he felt relating to this provision, and he saw no clear light noiv. . Mr. SEYMOUR believed that the clause was introduced in consequence of lands in various pin ts ot the Nelson Settlement having been granted by tne Governor for specific purposes. Some bad been granted to the Bishop, and some to the Suptnntendent and the Speaker. The Bishop, he (i . •) believed had taken no step in respect ot the grams ; but the Superintendent and Speaker, he helicA cd did not intend to accept. He could not say whether ie clause 'was designed to apply to other cases, would not himself rote for it, but he would not move any amendment , , The SPEAKER said that the case was clear where there had been no “acceptance” of the Grant; the difficulty was with regard to cases where they bad been accepted, hut uot acted upon. v . , Major RICHMOND remarked that at Nelson the Bishop had accepted the grants, but the Superintendent and Speaker had not. , Mr. BARTLEY said that, when the subject was before under the consideration of the Council, it had been found that their was some obscurity in this clause, and he had made inquiry respecting it. He had heard there Avas a special reference at Nelson, and had tried to get further information from his colleagues. He then stated, and it seemed to satisfy £ the Council, that the objection might be mot by extending the time at which the provision should come into operation to 1855. He found the clause now in precisely the same position as in the old Bill. But, Hiring iii Auckland, he had no particular knotvledge 3 f the circumstances. > The SPEAKER remarked that this seemed an attempt to effect special legislation by general terms. The proper way to attain this would have been by' a Schedule to the Bill. On the motion of Mr. Seymour, the Committee was adjourned till Monday, in order to afford time for further consideration of this provision. Land Claimant’s Estate Bill, On the motion of Mr. Bell, this Bill, (which had been brought down from the ilouse of Representatives during the sitting, by Mr. Travers and Dr. Monro,) Avas read a first time, and ordered for a second reading on Monday. Education. * # Mr. SEYMOUR gave notice that on Monday he would move that tbc establishment of a sound system of education for the youth of Ncav Zealand is a matter of public concern. That amongst the subjects deserving the early consideration of the Legislature, that of education is - of the first importance. That with a view to determine Avhrther the education of the youth of Ncav Zealand Avould be extended or improved by the interposition of the state, it is desirable to ascertain The number of schools already existing. The number of children educated therein. The general average of their attendance. The nature and extent of the instruction given at such schools. As far a r.;ay be practicable, the state of such echo generally as regards their efficiency. And •. obtain any further information which may b( L u, to bear upon the question. That o. r..dress from this Council be presented to the Officer administering the Government praying His Excellency to take such means as to him shall seem meet for furnishing the General Assembly at their next meeting with the information necessary for giving effect to the foregoing Resolutions. " t=3rwCouacil then adjourned till Monday. Monday, Sept. 11. The Council met at 2 o'clock.

Education. Mt. SEYMOUR moved the Resolutions on Education of which he had given notice. Major RICHMOND seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Bills 4?rom the llodse of Representatives. Messrs. Hart and Brown, as a deputation from the House of Representatives, were introduced, and presented the “English Acts Bill,” as amended, and the “ Law Practitioners Bill,” as passed hy the house. Waste Lands Bill. BELL stated that, since the introduction of this Bill, a material alteration had occurred in the question. The Officer administering tht Government had, in compliance with a request of the House t Of Kcprcsntatives, laid before that house a communication which informed the house of the exact nature of the authority under which Sir George Grey had issued his Laud Regulations of the 4th March, 1853, being the Despatch addressed by Sir John Pakington to his Excellency. This communication reduced the subject to the fact that it was the intention of the Home Government that the Governor should have power to make Land Regulations until the meeting of the General Assembly. If the Council were to take the words of the Despatch as a guide, and assume to itself the power which they pointed ' to, material alterations might be made in the Bill. Moreover, since this Bill had passed the House of Representatives, (for it was not an original introduction of the Legislative Council,) a Bill had been brought forward in that house, the effect of which, when it should be assented to by Her Majesty, would he to authorise the General Assembly to empower the Provincial Councils to enact laws for regulating .the sale, letting, disposal, and occupation of the Waste Lands of the Crown. Several clauses of the Bill then before the Council, might therefore be regarded as superfluous; and, under these circumstances, it would he wise to remodel the present Bill. This he (Mr. Bell) had, in concert with other hon. members, endeavoured to accomplish. He would state two general principles kept in view, and avoid discussion of mere details. It should he enacted, or rather declared, that Sir George Grey’s Regulations of March 4, f853, were perfectly legal; but that the •Governor's authority ceased when the Assembly met. It was well known that a contrary declaration had been made hy Judge Stephen. Now, the sacredness of the administration of justice ought to be strictly •maintained. But serious differences of opinion had arisen in this case between the Executive Government and the Supreme Court. Notwithstanding the injunction at Wellington restraining the Commissioner from acting under the Regulations, land, to to the value of £30,000, had actually been sold. He (Mr. Bell), as a public officer, was liable to be brought up for contempt of Court; it was his desire not to speak in any way disrespectfully of the Court; but it certainly was desirable that this state of things should he put an end to. If the injunction granted at cllington were good and valid in that Province, it would be equally good and valid throughout the Colony. I he state of things was, that the Government were every day acting in open opposition to a decision of the Supremeßeport of Judicature, Now, it was proposed to tliat the Regulations as regarded the past were And, as respected the future, it was to enact that the Governor, should have power to regulate the management of the lands on the recommendation of the Superintendents and Councils of the several Provinces. His Excellency had declared his williogoesi to act in accordance

with the wants ami wishes of the country, and, under Representative Institutions,’such as New Zealand now enjoys, these may he presumed to be best ascertained from the Councils elected by the people. Crying evils existed which required to jte remedied. In tne district of Wellington the general Regulations had been infringed. Working settlers’* land had been set apart, in order to prevent the injurious effects of undue speculation, and what was called the Small Farm scheme, had been brought into operation. Sir George Grey had made Regulations for farms restricted to forty acres for each person, or, where their was a family, forty acres for each child, not exceeding three. A great quantity of land had been sold under these conditions; but they were not strictly according to law. Only mineral land could by law be reserved; and it was merely the feeling that the plan was for the benefit of the country that had prevented men from coining to put in tenders for pieces of land which would include thjso small farms. I he plan was entirely approved by the Superintendent and Provincial Council; but it was hardly to be expected that the forbearance he had referred to would last always, or that speculators from Australia or elsewhere would be prevented from urging their claims according to the letter of the law. At Otago also (here were crying evils. The Government maintained that the surveyed laud was alone to be regarded as the land reserved for the Otago Association and that aU outside that might be sold under the Regulations ol Match 4. The result was, that while land within a short distance of the town might be sold for ten shillings, land, at a distance of forty or fifty miles, would be charged at two pounds. His Excellency the Oflicer administering the Government had, as the Otago members gratefully acknowledged, done all that lay in his power to remedy this state of things, hut the Rill would enable the Superintendent and Provincial Council to settbe matter at rest. Similar ditiiculties existed at Canterbury, land outside tbc block being open for sale at ten shillings. The colonists there Averc averse to maintaining so high a price as .£3, but they did not wish that it should he sold at so low a rate ns 10s. The Provincial Council there had drawn up Regulations which Avere approved by the people. In all the 1 rovinces the action of the Provincial Councils avus likely to be satisfactory to tbc people. At all events, the people would have poAvcr to petition the Governor if the Regulations Avere disagrecble to them, and he Avould have poAvcr to set aside the recommendation of the Provincial Council. The Bill Avas defensible on grounds of policy and justice. It Avould be saying to the Governor, avc give you power to carry into effect the Avishes of the people. It Avould be competent for any or every body to propose Regulations Avhich, after being discussed in the Provincial Cuuncils, may become laAv. Thus practical effect might be given to the Avcll-understood tvishes of the people. Mr. WHITAKER had at first felt such strong oh-" jeetions to the Bill that he at once resolved to move that its consideration be postponed till that day six months. But since then an agreement between gentlemen desirous of promoting a measure on the subject had been come to, on two principles. Ist, It would be declared that Sir George Grey’s Regulations of iVareh 4, are valid, and that they always were valid from the period at Avhich they Averc issued, without at all impugning the authority of the Proclamation, its validity Avould still be declared in its statute. 2ndly. It would give the Provinces a voice in tlie management of the lands. He (Mr. W.) had alAvays been anxious that the Provinces should have such a voice, and he had been partly the means of the introduction of a Bill designed to confer on the General Assembly the full power to transfer the right of dealing with the Waste Lands to the Provinces. He had ;it himself in view that, at the next meeting of the Auckland Provincial Council, a plan should be brought forward for setting apart land for the promotion of emigration on a new principle. Tbc bon. member aalio moved the second reading, and be (Mr. W.) had agreed on the subject, and therefore he would second the motion.

Mr. SEYMOUR odserved that he believed his oavu opinion avus at variance Avith that of the people at Nelson. He Avas fur retaining the management of the' Waste Lands in the hands of the General Assembly,” Avhile they were for transferring it to the Provinces. Still, he thought it very desirable to ascerthc wishes of the Provinces. He should not have spoken then, but that he Avas referred to, for he knew that he Avas in a small minority. Major RICHMOND could confirm the statement of the hon. member that the majority of the people of Nelson Avishcd the transfer of the power to the ProA’inccs.

Mr. BARTLEY congratulated the Council on the prospect that their was not likely to he any collision between the Houses of the Legislature on this question. A contest, which would have been so exceedingly unpleasant, had been avoided, owing to the communication from his Excellency, let he could not but wish that that communication had been made earlier. It might have prevented much of the discussion that had arisen. Mr. GILFILLAN would remind the Council that this very policy had been stated hy the Officer administering the Government in the Message on opening the present Session. He (Mr. G.) was very glad that there was now a Bill to he before them, in which they could agree. Otherwise there would have been a most earnent opposition. Mr. ST. HILL said, lie first learnt that it was contemplated to introduce a M aste Lands Bill dining the presect sitting of the Assembly; he imagined it was the same measure, or one of a similar character, to that which had occupied so much discussion in the other house in the recent Session. He had scon the draft of that measure in the shape it had assumed after its second reading’, and had it been presented to the Council in that form, it would have encountered his determined hostility. 'I lie Bill before the Council he (Mr. St. Hill) thought was of different character and completion to the measure to which he referred. In that measure it was attempted, in his opinion, to subvert the law hy an evasion—an unseemly shift. It aimed at icmoving one of th > restrictions imposed under the 19th &cc. of the Constitution Act. viz.,—the restriction of the legislation by the provisions upon the W aste Lands of the Crown. In the present Bill, the Assembly itself legislated upon that subject, but in such a foini as to give to the several Provinces each of course within its own limits —the administiatiun of the Waste Lands under the Regulations now existing, or und-r such additional Regulations which might be framed by the Governor and Executive Council, upon the recommendation of any 1 rovincc, to suit the requirements of that Province Me (Mr. bt. H ill) conceiv cd that that mode of proceeding could not be objected to. Objections had, however, awen mbs mind upon one or two minor points m the Bill when it was read the first time in the Council. I hese> objections were not inimical to the principle of the Bill. He had come to the Council to-day prepared with an amendment upon one clause; but as the Bill hj < been amended hy his hon. friend, he was content to accept it in its new dress. I its hon. friend (Mr. Bell) had told told the Council of the existence of of an Injunction of the Supreme Court restrain,ng the Commissioner at Wellington from dealing with the Waste Lands under the Proclamation of » 1853 It was essential that that Injunction should be removed. The Bill before the Cou.mil would accomplish that object. He (Mr. St, Hill) being therefore satisfied with the Regulations now m iorcc fo the sale, letting, disposal, and occupation of he Waste Lands of the. Crown, and being d 1 so satisfied that the principle of those Regulations n , disturbed by any Province, except under special ' cumstanccs, he should vote for tnc second reading Of Mr?BEi.I, should have said that 1.1. Excellency had communicated the document which hadllbee referred to, immediately when as V‘‘, . ~1. of Representatives to do so, and it lil ‘. , } j ' } t i c lished‘ some time since. He would add that the arrangement now made was mainly own £ Speaker of that Council, hut for whose efforts it Sight not have been possible to avoid a most pamwas rend a second time, and the Coouncil went into Connnitteee on the BillClauses 1 and 2 as printed were expunged. Clause 3 was amended, and ordered to stand as clause *. The remaining portions were also amended, and the Committee adjourned. Public Reserves Bill. The Council went into Committee on this Bill. The clause 12, line 5, was amended, so as to stand accepted or acted on,” in place of “accepted *>«/ acted on.” La no Claimant’s Estate Bill. On the motion of Mr. Bell the Bill was read a second time. Dower Bill. After some discussion, the amendments of the House of the House of Representatives in this B1 H and it was ordered that a Message should ;» r scu.Toths, stating .ha. they haJ boca agreed t°* Esol lijll AcIS iJ,,.,.. On the motion of Mr. Whitaker, the same course w« adopted with regard to the amendments made by the House of Representatives m tins Bill,. * The Council then adjourned.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Saturday Evening, September. 9tii. , [Although our regular Reports of the proceed’ ings in the House hare not yet reached the above date, Ave are induced to anticipate their progress in order to give earlier publicity to the following debate, as being one ol those vindications of cha~ racter Avhich the House itself has more than once admitted to possess claims on immediate attention sufficiently strong and urgent to warrant, and even to demand, a departure from the usual course. This seems the more called for, as the Journal Avhich ought to bo most prompt to correct its own misstatements, has published two numbers since the debate without taking any notice of it.J Privilege. The following Notice appeared on the Paper in Mr. Wakefield’s name : I, MR. WAKEFIELD—To move to-morrow an Address to his Excellency, respectfully praying that he will lie pleased to send to the House copies or extracts of a correspondence relating to the retirement of Mr. Wakefield from the position of his Excellency’s temporary adviser. Shortly after the Speaker took the Chair at G o’clock, Mr. WAKEFIELD said that ho wished to give notice to the hon. member for the City (Mr. Brown), and to Hie hon. member for the Bay of Islands (Mr. Carleton) that, when his motion came on, he should have occasion to mention them. He did this as, without any fault of his, they were not on speaking terms in private, and he informed them, that they might not be out of the House. After some other business had been disposed of,— Mr. WAKEFIELD said—The object with which 1 gavenoticeof the present motion was toobtain theopportunityof contradicting in this house a misstatement concerning myself, which has now appeared three times in one of the Auckland newspapers. Referring to the indulgence which the house extended this morning to the hon. member for the suburbs |Mr. Hotter), when he explained a newspaper statement about himself, I am sure the house will give me its attention now, when my object is to contradict a very injurious statement, which has no foundation whatever in truth. U will be recollected that on a former occasion, when the • Southern Cross ’ had represented that I was dismissed with disgrace from his Excellency’s confidence, I read an extract from a letter from his Excellency to myself, which thoroughly contradicted that assertion. The same newspaper has now repeated the former statement, and has added to it the serious charge of deceit and falsehood both against his Excellency and myself. I will read the charge from the newspaper,— " In the course of the debate, on Tuesday evening, Mr. Wakefield made some observations concerning the *■ Southern Cross," which cannot he suffered to pass without reply, lie complained in the House (a most improper place to choose, and a place where it would have been equally improper and out of order for any member to reply), that falsehoods found their way into this journal twice a week. He said that he did not allude to the hon. member for the Bay of Islands, who is supposed to send frequent contributions to our columns, hut lie said it in such a manner as to plant an insinuation, which his well known prudence rendered him afraid to exceed. Of course, no one could take him up for not having been alluded to. He likewise stated that the proprietor of this journal was a member of the House. There again, he contrived to save himself with his usual adroitness: fur he knew that the proprietor could not take him up without assuming the Editorship likewise. He had also the prudence to reserve Ins observations for the reply, which by tire rules of the House closes the debate. This is in accordance with his usual habit of lying in wait for the last word, and was predicted on that very evening by Mr. Carleton, who appears to understand his ways.

“Should the hon. member for the Hutt have any further complaint against the ' ‘ Southern Cross," he had better address it to this office, where it will he answered, rather than to the House, where it cannot, and never will be answered. Any communication received from him will he properly attended to. “ We have been given to understand that the following passage which appeared in the •• Southern Cross," of August 25, is the foundatiou of his complaint:— “ ‘ The‘mediator,’ whether on the high ground of his having told a falsehood in the House, or on the more practical ground of not being able to command a party, was dismissed in disgrace,’

‘< Now this is precisely the fact.—The meaning of the term disgraced minister is perfectly well understood: it signifies a minister who is turned away, in contradistinction to one who has resigned. It is a gallicism un minittre ditgracie. By Mr Wakefield’* own admission, he was so.

“We take this opportunity of relating the current o a dit upon the subject. It was currently asserted—not having been actually present ourselves, we go no further, —that Mr. Wakefield waited on hi* Excellency, drew his attention to the foregoing passage in the “Cross,” and asked him for a letter of thanks- Colonel Wynyard, who is by no means enamoured of the “ Cross," accorded the customary letter, which was read shortly after the opening of the Session in the House. If this neemmr Uc inaccurate, Mr. Wakefield is at lihcr:y to correct i. >•

Well, Sir, I will here correct that statement, by reading to the house * correspondence between bis Excellency and myself. My letter did not resell his Excellency till this morning, and 1 have just received his answer. House of Representatives, Bth September, KIM. Dear Sir,—l have the honour to request your Excellency’s attention to two statements which appear in the “ Southern Cross” newspaper of this morning. The first is, that 1 did not spontan’ously retire from the position of your Excellency’s tern) era y adviser on a special occasion, but was dismissed from it with disgrace. ’1 he second is substantially, that in order to obtain the means of falsely contradicting, with the sanction of your Excellency. a similar statement which had before appeared in (be •< Southern Cross,” 1 wailed upon you, and induced you to give me an antedated “ letter of thanks,” meaning your Excellency’s letter to me of the 19th August (from which an extract was read by me in the House, on Monday last, for the puposc of contradicting the original statement of the *' Southern Cross.” ’These ,inventions are of little importance as respects the community, in which the peculiar character of the management of this newspaper is generally understood: but they will be conveyed to other places, where, if uncontradicted, they will naturally pass for truth, more especially with such as may know that the proprietor and virtual Ediior of the “ Southern Cross” are members of the General Assembly. I therefore venture to request, that your ExcelUncy will have the kindness to enable me to contradict these inventions, with the sanction of confirmation by yourself, who alone k»ow the exact truth as compleuly as Vour Excellency’s very faithful and obedient servant, E. G. WAKEFIELD. To His Excellency, the Officer administering the Government, flic-, &c., Arc. Auckland, 9th September, 1054. Dear Sir,—in replying to your communication of yesterday’s date, just received, J can distinctly assert, that your lencrof the lUth August, conveyed tome the first intelligence of your disposition to withdraw your counsel; that I wrote my reply on the spur of the moment; and, further, that I did not even see you after our interview on the subject, till I met you accidentally on the Epsom Road, in company with. Major Greenwood and Mr. Forsaith, on the afternoon of the 22nd. Yours very faithfully. R H. WVNVARD. E. G. Wakefield, Esq., Ate,, Arc. ~ (Cheers ) There, Sir, is a most absolute and entire contradiction of the calumnies which this newspaper repealed after they were once refuted (hear, hoar), thereby obliging me to refute them once more. (Cheers.) 1 am not going to comp am of the press, because I firmly believe m the advantages, not only of its liberty, but of its licence. when ß that does not amount to moral assassination, committed from behind the shelter of the anonymous (hear, hear). 1 f I were to correct every invention of the Southern Cross ’ and * Wellington Independent ' concerning myself, should have nothing else to do (Laughter and cheersd Hu this falsehood involved his Excellency, by charging him with civing me an ante-dated letter, for the purpose of deceiving the house ß 1 have no ill will towards the press, but, on the contrary, have been for years “ a gentleman of ,he I ,res *’ ° r one of the “ press gang:” and I know that the press is necessarily more personal in small than in large communities. ■ a this goes beyond all reasonable indulgence (hear. he..r. I think it probable that these inventions will be repeated tomorrow by the • ‘southern Cross,’ in some ingenious form, and 1 am not sure that the gentlemen who manage that paper will do to me the justice to publish mv contradiction of these calumnies. (Hear hear from Mr. Brown.) In conclusion, let me -*-e^ h «ue that I have no wish to discuss the matter, nor should I about it on my own account, if reiterated misstatement, were not sure to travel to a distance, and occasion pam to friends i rotations who may not soon learn the truth. (Cheers.) "'xtr CARLE TON rose and said—Mr. Speaker,—Haying been warned by the hon. member for the Hutt to remain m the house while he should be addressing you, I am this time en - bled to reply. On « former occasion, in this house, he alludei me in terms that could not be misunderstood, and m connexion with the • Southern Cross.’ .He escaped without an an- *' because it was impossible for me to reply. I am not the about himself. For a long while P«t he has been and. if that be possiffie, men oh g putat ions and oblique (laughter), in this house with covert imp „ e |nakes me innendoes, which there was g g tried to bite the think of the fable which tell. ft!e . for the file. But the v,per was he •»«££ , can vellture to predict creature only spoiled its teetn* • „, Tor P" (Laughter., For I, Sir, am able to take my stand upon character. order ? Is it not a fact > (Order.) The SPEAKER sai,d that the hon. member was not m order '"rcSSos’-ss. . s.™ . P»r« -fv ■■> *•* about myself. I am able to taka my stand upon character, upon personal character, unsoiled, unimpeachcd, and unsuspected .

upon personal character, to the value of which no man is more feelingly alive thad the honourable member for the Mutt. Sir, it is not for that hon. member to assail, For a long while, he was treated with enormous indulgence by this house. lie was a privileged man, with licence of free speech ; something like the household jesters, or the sayers of grave sayings, in the old times. L itilude, almost unlimited, lias been given to his rhetoric, his bad logic, his interminable speeches, and his incessant personalities. But whoever comes across him has been the worse for him, man or woman alike. Nobody can escape from him—nothing. The hon. member for Christchurch could not even use a common figure of speech without its being distorted into a charge against him. But I can tell the hon. member—he will understand me—that there are more things which have been the worse fir him, concerning which, in a short time, more minute information will arrive. It is no longer for that lion, member to assail. The privileged times are over for him now. He has been arraigned for a great political crime the destroying our Government (hear, hear, and a laugh, from the other side). I say again, fer the destruction of a Government, fur advising the Governor to break the Queen’s instructions, stipulating that he himself should be sole adviser, —that the Governor should throw aside the counsel ofhis sworn Executive. lie has been put upon his trial : he has been found guilty, and henceforth must expect to be treated according to his deserts. 1 will say a few words about what has fallen from the hon. member to-night. I have seen the passage in the ‘ .Southern Cross,’ and I know something about it (hear, hear). Ido know something about it (hear, hear). I have not that number with me. (Mr. Wakefield said here it is, and passed the number across the table, and Mr. Carleton read the first passage alluded to.) The statement is based on the lion, memher’s own assertion. (No). I say that itis; to the hon. memBerTofOmata.

Mr. CRUMPTON—Not exactly. I said that I gathered from what the hon. member said to me, that lie had been dismissed.

The hon. member for Omata was proceeding to explain. Mr. WAKEFIELD said that the hon. member could speak in explanation afterwards.

Mr. CARLETON—I request that he will explain now. Mr. W A ICEFIELD objected, and Mr. Crompton sat down. Mr. CARLETON read thesecond passage alluded to. Why this is precisely the fact, neither more nor less The statement is, that an on (lit was current to that effect. It is merely given as an on dit, and the passage is most carefully guarded, (hear, hear, and a laugh)—so as not to go beyond one. It was current at the time; as it now appears, erroneously; hut it was so. Nothing is asserted hut tile single fact. The hon. member for the Mutt goes on to use a term that is very wrong—moral assassination—but I myself am wrong, Sir, 1 should rather scorn, as every gentleman ought, to offer any further reply to that hon. member, or to use two words where one will suffice. Mca rnevirtute involve. I take my seat again, conscious of being invulnerable to the hon. member for the Mutt, and to all the like of him. But the like of him would be hard to find.

Mr. CROMPTON—I will explain, with the leave of the house, what I believe took place between myself and the hon. member for the Bay of Islands. Prior to my conversation with the hon. member, it was currently reported that the hon. member for the Mutt was dismissed abruptly by his Excellency. Subsequently to an interview 1 had with the hon. member for the Hutt and another hon. gentleman, 1 met the hon. member for the Bay, with others, and the subject of the dismissal was the subject of conversation, in the course of which 1, without divulging the words of my private conversation with the hon. member for the Hull, intimated my belief that the hon. member for the Hutt had been dismissed abruptly. I must be allowed to inform the hon. member for the Bay that he is not au fait in French diplomatic language. I never gave him reason to imagine that the hon. member for the Hutt was un ministre dUiiraci?, which would imply that he was dismissed for having tendered to his Excellency dishonest or dishonourable advice. But 1 certainly thought that it a demands sa dimission, which implies that he had tendered unpalatable advice, and that having met with a repulse, requested to be relieved from bis responsible position. The French term, «/ a daunt sa dimission, is similar to the term tendered his resignation,” and it was not my impressson that such was the position of the hon. member for the Hutt with regard to his Excellency, on quitting office. The explanation given by the hon. member for the Hutt shews that my impression was unfounded. Mr. UKVANS objected to the identification in that House of any member as being connected with the Editorship of a paper, and cited a rase in which a very dear friend < f his. Mr. Roebuck, made such a statement with regard to Mr. Walter, bat the house ensirely declined to identify i self with the question. He (Mr. Revans) had himself been sometimes roughly dealt with in the newspapers, but he had a strong feeling in favour of the Press, and did not regard it. In justification of the report relating to Mr. Wakefield’s dismissal, he had heard that the hon. member (Mr. Crompton) had stated it, or that in someway it had come from him, or through him. There was some speculation on the matter, and it had become a general impression.

Mr. SEWELL said that the explanation given by the hon. member (Mr. Wakefield) was completely satisfactory, and the matter should be let drop. (Hear, hear.) Mr. FITZGERALD remarked that he was just about to say the same thing. It was the custom in the House of Commons to permit members to refer to mis-statements, but not to connect members with the authorship of articles. To do so was inconsistent with legislative order. Mr. E. JERNINGHAM WAKEFIELD combated the objection. So far from being contrary to order, members bad a right to do so. Quite recently a case in point had occurred, in the House of Lords, in which Lord Derby had connected statements made in a newspaper called The Press with Mr. who was believed to be its Editor.

*-' Mr. niiuWN.— Sir, i am extiemeiy sorry that me non. member for the Hutt should have brought this matter before the house, it is highly to be deprecated, as taking up the time of the house with personal discussions of an exciting character which ought to be settled elsewhere. It is not for mere explanation that this has been brought fi rw.mi. It is for the purpose of founding personal attacks'. Had it been for explanation only, the letter from His Excellency which the Iron, member read to the house a few nights ago, was quite sufficient to show that the hon member for the Hutt had not been formally dismissed as bad been stated in the papers. The hon member has other objects in view. He appears to think that he may bring private matter of any kind before the house which he may find suited to his purposes. That such is the fact, 1 would request attention to the most improper proceeding of bringing before the house as be did a few nights ago, the private relations existing between that gentleman and myself: and quoting expressions from a private letter which 1 had addressed to him, declining the honor of further private intercourse with him He had no right to introduce such matters before the house. I thought it very wrong that he should be permitted to do so ; but having done so, I then requested that he would at least read the whole of my letter and not merely a portion of it. He had not then the letter with him but promised on another occasion to read it ns 1 wished. 1 expected be would now have done so, but he has not : and 1 think I am now therefore entitled to do so myself and hall read a copy of it. • < Mr- Brown was unwilling, on the occasion of meeting Mr. Wakefield this morning to make any public demonstration that their acquaintance must cease; but takes this less offensive mode of intimating that regard for his own self respect, obliges him to intimate that for the future he must decline the honour of Mr. Wakefield’s acquaintance, 2thh August, 1«54.’’ (Roars of Laughter.) I think that I am entitled to go further to explain my reasons for having taken such a course : (order.; I think I certainly am entitled to give them : It will be in the recollection of the house the statements which the hon. member for the Hutt had made in the house as to the share which he had in advising as to the message of His Excellency on the occasion of the retirement of the Responsib’e Ministry—that •• he was the sole adviser of His Excellency on that occasion,” That the hon - member had subsequently openly denied in the house his fonner statement, his remarks causing a shudder to run through the house with cries of shame to mark their strong disapprobation : on subsequent occasions, had heard continual charges brought against the hon. member, charges implying every degree Of moral turpitude, without contradiction, and consequently 1 no longer thought his acquaintance respectable and took those means of informing him to that effect. Having explained this matter I will not further occupy the time of the house with subjects altogether foreign to their discussions which never ought to have been introduced and could not be continued without leading to the worst results. MR. FORSAITH thought he could throw a little light upon the subject. He was not surprised that such an impression had got abroad. He could trace it to a foolish but perhaps natural misconstruction of the hon. member for the Hurt’s own remarks. He recollected very well having casually met the hon. member shortly after his resignation, when, referring to the subject, he said, “Well, 1 am no longera cabinet maker, I've got my dssraissal,’’ or word* to that effect. The remark was jocularly made, and certainly never led him [Mr. E.] to conclude that the hon. member had been dismissed with disgrace, though the remark, if repeated under different circumstances, might be sufficient to account for the impression that had gone abroad. Mr. CARI.ETON was glad to hear the fact corroborated by the hon. member for the Northern Division. Mr. FORSAITH begged the hon. member for the Bay of Islands would not misconstrue his remarks. He had not mentioned the circumstance to any one, and therefore whoever originated the impression he had taken no part in it.

Mr. C MILETON explained. He did not mean (o insinuate that tlic honourable member was chargeable with ha\ing anything to do with the origin of the report. Mr. WAKEFIELD. I recollect the conversation to which the honourable member for the Northern Division has referred, Hut I don’t think be has exactly staled my words. If he recals the circumstance I think he will remember that I said “ I am a discharged cabinet maker. Mr. FORSAITH—Yes, that was the expression. MR. GOTTEN said that it was a strange thing for the hon. member for the Hutt. by his proposed address to his Excellency, to ask for “ extract* or copies.” Why not ask for copies alone ? That was usual in diplomacy : and the present course must have some object of which the House ought to be made '"mR. WAKEFIELD in reply to that great diplomatist, the hon, member (Mr. Cuttcn), I beg leave to inform him that asking for “ extracts” is in strict accordance with usage on such occasions ; the object being to let the head of the government give as much or as little as he pleases, 1 think upon recollection, that when talking in a playful manner with the hon. member (Mr. Forsaith) and others, I spoke of myself a a “ discharged cabinet-maker.” But even so, what a foundation on which to build such a charge as this. (Hear. h ea r.) The hon. member for the Bay of Islands (Mr. Carleionj seriously denies (( will repeat his very words, having taken them down) that he is the Editor of the “ Southern Cross, or ever had anything to do with tha: paper beyond frequently sending contributions to it. (Laughter.) That assertion 1 will not contradict, but will let it stand by the side of the state,ijc.it about me as being equally true (hear, bear, hear). And the hon gentleman w,ll permit me to assure the House that during the time when some of u, were a club for supplying both the Auckland papers with reports of the proceedings in the House, we never knew or heard of anybody but the hon. gentleman as Editor of the “Southern Gross.” (Heat, hear.) No doubt,

we were altogether mistaken : and 1 wilt say no mate about it. (Laughter and cheers.) MR. CARLE I'uX—[ adhere to the words. MR, WAKEFIELD—And 1 mind them as much as the hon. gentleman’s reiterations to-night of the statement that I did not spontaneously retire but was dismissed by his Excellency. MR. CARLE I ON—l did not say so. I only said that you said so. MR. WAKEFIELD— Ves, truly : butwhat a shift to escape responsibility. The hon. gentleman heard somebody repeat, as having heard it from me, something very injurious to myself: and on such authority he publishes the story as an on die (hear, hear.) Why at that rate, there never could be a libel. (Dear, hear.) Under the shelter of an on dit, the foulest charges might be made with impunity. (Cheers.) The non. gentleman calls me a viper and himself a file. As to the latter, it is impossible not to agree with him, at least in the sense of what is meant by the vulgar expression “a rum file.” (Loud laughter in which the gallery joined.) lam willing to treat this matter ligl.tly as respects the hon. gentleman personally. To be serious with him would be idle: for there he sits smiling, and glorying in his bad French, his childish quibbles, his absurd shifts and excuses, and his conviction before this House of having given to the public as facts the fancies of his own diseased imagination (laughter and cheers) as pleased with himself as if he had just been proved to be one of the wisest and best of mankind. (Much laughter and cheering.) Sir. as the only object of my motion is accomplished, 1 beg leave to withdraw it. f -